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Hank Green from the Detroit Auto Show

2009-01-17 · Hank · watch on YouTube · Science & nature · documentary visit

Hank rushes through the 2009 Detroit auto show's green cars (Prius, FT-EV, Volt, Converj, Insight, Tesla Roadster, Fisker Karma) and recommends the Prius, the Insight or waiting for the subsidised Volt.

What is said

00:00:00 — Back at the Detroit Auto Show: less glitz, more green cars

  • ★★ Hank finds this year's Detroit Auto Show more exciting than last year's: less glitz, more of what he is actually interested in, green cars. — 00:00:00

00:00:29 — Rushed tour of green cars: Toyota Prius and FT-EV, Chevrolet Beat/Spark, Volt, Aveo, Cadillac Converj, Honda Insight, Tesla Roadster; running need-to-pee gag

  • ★★★ Hank says the 2010 Prius will be the most fuel-efficient car on the road, bigger and more powerful than the old Prius yet more efficient, with an optional solar roof. — 00:00:29
  • ★★ Hank says the Toyota FT-EV is like a smart car but cheaper and fully electric, and that Toyota may make it around 2012 if it ever exists. (hedged) — 00:00:58
  • ★ Hank says Chevrolet will make a production version of its Beat concept called the Spark. — 00:00:58
  • ★★★ Hank calls the Chevrolet Volt his favourite car: it goes 40 miles on electric power before an onboard generator recharges the batteries, then hundreds of miles. — 00:01:27
  • ★ Hank says the Volt on show is the new production version; viewers last saw it as a concept. — 00:01:27
  • ★★ Hank says General Motors has a concept like the Volt but as a luxury coupe, the Cadillac Converj, which he is sure would be out of his price range if ever built. — 00:01:57
  • ★★ Hank praises a fuel-efficient, cheap hybrid he expects at about $18,500 base price, opening hybrids to more buyers, himself included. (hedged) — 00:02:33
  • ★★ Hank says the Tesla Roadster is beyond his budget; the show displays both its Lotus-designed shell and its internals, which he likens to a powerful, expensive go-kart. (playful) — 00:02:33

00:03:02 — Tesla Roadster internals, Fisker Karma; round-up and buying advice (Prius, Insight, wait for the Volt with its $7,500 subsidy); sign-off

  • ★★ Hank presents the near-production plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma, which has solar panels on its roof like the new Prius. — 00:03:02
  • ★★★ Hank advises car buyers that the 2010 Prius looks like a good choice, the Honda Insight saves money (though less gas), and the Volt is coming soon. (hedged) — 00:03:02
  • ★★★ Hank says the Volt will come with a huge US government subsidy: $7,500 off the ticket price for being a plug-in hybrid. — 00:03:31
  • ★★ Hank concludes there are many more hybrid options and a lot of awesome things on the horizon. — 00:03:31

Humor (significant)

  • Explaining why the tour will be fast, Hank lists being sleepy, needing to pee and an untied shoe. — 00:00:29 > «if I stop and try and tie my shoe, I'm probably going to fall unconscious.»
  • Hank announces a big philosophical question the auto show has raised. — 00:01:57 > «which is why I haven't peed yet.»
  • Showing the Tesla Roadster's exposed internals. — 00:03:02 > «it's kind of the world's most powerful, most expensive go-kart.»
  • After the round-up and the spinny-thing sign-off. — 00:03:31 > «Have I mentioned how badly I have to pee?»

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